Concrete elevating and distributing apparatus



April 15, 1930. J. E. BUSHNELL 1,754,815

CONCRETE ELEVATING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 2 SheetsSheet l l 1 g l avwewtoz 1% WWW April 15,1930.

J. E. BUSHNELL CONCRETE ELELVATING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 2 SheetsSheet 2 (June/14 60;

Patented Apr. 15, 1930 FFEQE JAMES E. BUSHNELL, OF NORTH PLAINFEELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 RANSOME CONCRETE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PLAINFZELD, NEVJ JERSEY, A GORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY CONCRETE ELEVATING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Application filed February 21, 1928.

This invention relates primarily to gravity distribution plants wherein loose material such as mixed concrete is hoisted in vertically moving buckets and deposited in chutes or other conduits at various elevations, on a mast or tower, for gravity distribution to the point of placement. As is well known, such plants are constructed and arranged so that the materials may beraised and chuted to any portion of the building or other construction, as the work progresses.

Containers or buckets of the type which tip or tilt for discharging their contents are commonly employed, means being positioned at desired elevations on the tower or mast for tripping or tilting said containers. The present improvements have as their primary object, among others, the provision of an improved tripping mechanism or switch for the purpose set forth, in comblnation with a buclret or buckets, as well as other features of construction more particularly pointed out in the appended specification and claims.

One embodiment of the presentimprovements is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a mast or tower illustrating the present improvements Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, part of the hopper being omitted; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure.

The tower or mast 5 preferably comprises uprights 6 in the form of channel members positioned with respect to one another as illustrated in Fig. 3, all braced and secured by the usual lacing or diagonal braces as is common in the art. Suitable guy ropes or cables are employed for steadying the tower and maintaining same erect. Extending perpendicularly from the rear of each channel member is a longitudinal rib '7 which may be integrally cast with its respective channel member, or fabricated by securing an angle bar thereto by riveting, welding or other means. These ribs, as illustrated, extend toward one another on two sides of the mast or tower and may form the supports Serial No. 255,894.

for the diagonal braces on those sides. Preferably the ribs 7 are suitably spaced from the outer limits of their respective channels 6. As seen in Fig. 8, said ribs are positioned at approximately the longitudinal axis of their channels and afford, with the lacing, recesses 8 and 9 extending the entire height of the tower or must. Protective spaces are thus provided for housing the sheaves, cables, etc. of the hoisting or other mechanism. The tables are thus disposed between the diagonal braces and a plane passing through the outer limits of the channels, so that they do not obstruct devices travelingon the tower and are themselves afforded freedom of operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, two elevating buckets or receptacles 10, 11 are mounted for vertical travel on the mast or tower 5 for discharge into a hopper or bin 12. The

arrangement of these elements about the tower is similar to that setforth in my copending application Serial No. 244 394, filed January at, 1928, but may be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 3 of the present application. The hopper or bin 12,for receiving material from buckets 1O, 11 is suitaoly supported on a frame 13 mounted on the tower or mast and vertically adjustable thereon by means of a cable or other means leading to a power means (not shown). The hopper is provided at its bottom with the usual discharge spout for depositing the charge in chutes for distribution to the point of placement. Although the main body of the hopper 12 is disposed along one side of the tower, portions of the hopper extend laterally thereof embracing sides of the tower adjacent said first mentioned side. hese lateral extensions terminate adjacent the plane of the longitudinal axis of the tower and form inlets or receiving spouts 14, 15 for initially receiving the charges of the buckets. As set forth in my co-pending application said inlets or spouts are pivotally mounted to the main portion of hopper 12, so they, together with elements attached thereto, may be swung out. of the path ofthe vertically moving buckets, and to clear the guy connections, when moving the bin vertically on the tower. Suitable shoes and rollers are provided on the hopper frame 13 conveniently positioned for sliding movement on the channels 6 of the tower.

A bucket frame 16 is disposed for travel 011 the side of the tower opposite that upon which frame 13 is positioned. Said frame 16 extends a substantial distance beyond the sides of the tower, forming a panel on each side thereof, in which the buckets or receptacles 10 and 11 are pivotally mounted. A cable 17, leading from a power means (not shown), passes over suitable sheaves on the tower and about sheave 18 on carriage 16, whereb said carriage may be elevated and lowere The sliding movement of said carriage is facilitated by the provision of rollers and shoes thereon, which travel on the channels 6 of the tower. Upon inspection of Fig 3, the arrangement of the hopper and buckets about the. tower is obvious. As set forth in my co-pending application above referred to, this construction affords an even distribution of the forces about the tower, the shock of the discharge of the freshly mixed concrete as it passes from the buckets to the inlets 14 and 15 of the hopper, being experienced at substantially the plane of the longi tudinal axis of the tower.

As illustrated, the receptacles or buckets 10, 11 are of the counter balanced type and are mounted on pivots 19 of the bucket frame, so that when empty or loaded they will normally be maintained in erect position, stops 20 on the sides of said buckets being suitably positioned for contact with the sides of the panels of said frame for limiting the rocking of said buckets in a clockwise direction. Stop means 21 are also provided on the buckets. extending laterally for contact with the sides of the panels of frame 16 for limiting the courter clockwise movement of the buckets and stopping them in vertical or discharging position.

The nose of each bucket 10, 11, extends through the panels of frame 16 and has a roll er 22 mounted on that portion of the nose adjacent the tower. The drawings illustrate the elements about the tower in the initial portion of the dumping or tripping operation of the buckets. Since the switch or tripping mechanism, now to be described is identical for both buckets, that pertaining to bucket 10 only, Will be explained.

The inlet or spout 15 of hopper 12 has the switch mechanism or tilting means 23 rigidly mounted at its end and on that side adj acent the tower. This feature comprises a channel bar 24, having legs 25 and 26 disposed at right angles to one another, being suitably positioned on the inlet 15 so that the leg 25 extends beyond the plane of the inlet, with said leg in alignment with the roller 22 of the vertically traveling bucket 10. This switch mechanism afi'ords an engaging and discharging means for the bucket 10, it being apparent that upon elevation of the bucket and bucket frame, the roller will he caught in the channel or track of leg 25 and ride therein. Continued elevation will cause roller 22 to ride along track or leg 26, the roller being at a1: p1.-oXimately the dotted line position when bucket pivot 19 reaches the horizontal plane of said It is thus seen that the switch mechanism pulls the nose of the bucket through frame 16, and further ascent of the bucket frame and pivot 19 results in completing the tripping of the bucket, pivot 19 being above the now dmvnwardly directed nose of the bucket. The tripping mechanism has accordingly rocked the bucket to discharging position, similar to the vertical dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 1. At this time stop 21 contacts the frame 16, preventing any further movement of the bucket in a counter clockwise direction. As similar means for tripping bucket 11 are provided on the other side of the tower, it is seen that bucket 11 will be discharged in the same manner. Both buckets 10 and 11, accordingly, simultaneously discharge their contents into their respective inlets of hopper 16, whence chutes or other means convey same to the point of placement.

It is apparent that upon lowering of the carriage 16, the bucket pivots 19 are lowered. drawing the buckets out of switches 23, back into the panels to erect position in the carriage (stops 20 functioning to limit their clockwise movement) for receiving another charge.

111 operating distributing plants of this type, the buckets receive their charge from a mixer or other loading device adjacent the base of the tower, after which the operator applies power to the hoisting cable for elevating the carriage and buckets, the ascent thereof being controlled by the operator, who stops same at the proper discharging elevation. Careful attention and skill on the part of the operator is required to check the ascending buckets at the proper elevation to prevent disruption of the switches 23 and rollers 22. Accordingly provision is made for permitting the huci-ccts to continue their upward travel, in the event they are raised beyond the discharge point, without causing injury to the tripping mechanism.

As seen in Fig. 1, the upper flange of channel leg 26 of the switch 23 is broken away to provide an opening therein sulliciently large to permit the passing of the roller under predetermined conditions. This opening is normally closed by a gate or slide bar 27 mounted for sliding movement on the outer side of leg 26 in suitable guides. Said gate is normally held closed over the opening in leg 26 (full lines Fig. 1) by an energized lever construction. As illustrated, a bellcrank lever is pivoted at 28 to the hopper frame 13, having a weighted arm 29, and a work armdiverging therefrom of elbow form comprising arms 30 and 31. The angle formed at the union of arms 30 and 31 is provided with a suitable bearing surface, such as a roller 32. The lower end of arm 31 has adjustably secured thereto, a hook or angle bar 33 which has its divergent free end pivotally connected in any desired manner to the gate 27. It is thus seen that the energized lever arrangement pivoted at 28 functions to maintain gate 27 normally in closed position, that is, the weight on arm 29 is constantly urging gate 27 to the right in Fig. 1 and during normal operation of the tower, said energized means and gate are in the full line position. The channeled track of the switch 23 therefore forms, at all periods of normal operation, a continuous guideway for the nose-rollers 22.

In the event, however, that the carriage 16 and buckets 10 and 11 are overdrawn, beyond the discharging position, with the present improvements, the gates 27 will open and free the rollers 22, permitting the carriage and buckets to harmlessly continue their ascent. Thisresult is accomplished by the movement of the buckets as follows: The arrangement of the energized. lever mechanism issuch that roller 32 normally extends into the path of the inner side of the bucket as it describes its discharging are. As the bucket approaches the end of this are, it contacts roller 32 forcing it to the left in Fig. 1. This movement raises weighted arm 29, and forces arms 30, 31, 33 tothe left carrying with them gate 27. hen the bucket has reached full vertical position and is stopped in arcuate travel by stop 21, the energized lever mechanism and gate assume the dotted line position wherein gate 27 is fully open. Upon further ascent of thegcarriage and bucket, roller 22 passes through the opening in the now disabled switch23, the gate 27 remaining open until the nose of the bucket has ascended above roller 32 on the lever mechanism. At this time, the bucket having continued upward, the energized mechanism under the influence of weighted arm 29 operates to restore gate 27 and roller 32 to the full line (normal) position.

Upon descent of the carriage and bucket from above the switch 23, said bucket still being in vertical position, will contact roller 32, causing the lever mechanism to open gate 27 for the approaching nose roller 22, which latter passes through the opening in the switch 28. The switch then cooperates, upon further descent of the bucket, to restore the same to erect loading position as is well known. Obviously, as the bucket describes its arcuate travel in a clockwise direction, it will be withdrawn from contact with roller 32, which, together with gate 27 will be anand permit-ting their passage and that of the buckets. A safety means for the buckets and carriage has thus been provided without sacr'iiicing the eiiiciency of the switch means, which, under normal operating conditions remains intact.

It is obvious that the present improvements may be employed where a single bucket or receptacle traveling either within or without the tower is desirable. Furthermore, the weight on arm 29 may be replaced by any convenient energized means, as, for example, a spring. Limiting means for the bucket, as well as the switch and disabling means therefrom, may take other forms without depart ing from the scope of the invention.

Various other advantages and modifications of the present improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. A bucket dumping mechanism for mast plants comprising a member having bucket engaging means and mechanism adapted to be actuated under predetermined conditions by a moving element of the mast for rendering ineffective said engaging means, said engaging means and said mechanism positioned for functioning under the same directional travel of said moving element.

2. A bucket dumping mechanism for mast plants comprising a member having bucket tripping means and mechanism adapted to be actuated under predetermined conditions by moving bucket, for rendering ineflective said tripping means, said tripping means and said anechanism positioned for functioning under the same directional travel of said bucket.

3. A releasable switch mechanism for dumping buckets comprising an L-shaped channel member having an opening in one side thereof, a closure for said opening and energized means for normally closing said closure.

4C. In a device of the character described the combination of a vertical track,- a receptacle movably mounted thereon, engaging means adjacent said track and receptacle for discharging the latter and mechanism automatically operable by continued travel of said receptacle in discharging direction for rendering ineffective said engaging means.

5. In a device of the character described the combination of a track, atiltable receptacle movably mounted thereon, means adjaccntsaid track and receptacle for tilting said f ll receptacle during advance travel thereof, and mechanism actuated by said receptacle for rendering ineffective said tilting means during continued advance travel thereof.

6. In a device of the character described the combination of a vertical track, a vertieally moving tiltable receptacle mounted thereon, switch means mounted adjacent said track and receptacle for tilting said receptacle, and mechanism operable by said receptacle under predetermined conditions for opening said switch means whereby said receptacle when elevated is tilted by said switch and upon further elevation thereof said mechanism opens said switch means for permitting further elevation of said bucket.

7. In a device of the character described the combination of a vertical track, a tiltable receptacle movably mounted thereon, switch means mounted adjacent said receptacle adapted to tilt said receptacle during upward travel thereof, and positive means operable during continued upward travel of said receptacle for rendering said switch ineffective.

8. In a device of the character described the combination of a vertically moving receptacle, means for temporarily engaging a portion of said receptacle and positive means for thereafter freeing said portion during upward movement of said receptacle.

9. In a device of the character described, a tiltable receptacle adapted to be elevated and lowered, mechanism for raising and lowering said receptacle, means in the upward j path of said receptacle for engaging and tilting same and means for rendering said first named means effective or ineffective in response to receptacle movements.

10. In a device of the character described, an upright track, a tiltable receptacle mounted for travel thereon, mechanism for elevating and lowering said receptacle, means in the path of said receptacle for tilting same and positively operable mechanism in the path of travel of said receptacle toward di. charging position, adapted to establish uninterrupted travel of said receptacle past said means.

11. The combination of a tower, a tiltable container mounted to travel up and down same, a normally closed switch mounted in the path of said container for tilting said container, and means actuated by container movements for opening said switch whereby said container may pass in either direction.

12. The combination of a tower, a hopper adjustably mounted thereon, a tiltable container mounted to travel up and down on said tower, means adjacent said hopper for tilting said container and mechanism actuated means on said hopper for tilting and holding said container in discharging position and mechanism for releasing said means upon travel of said container therebeyond.

14. In a material distributing mechanism, the combination with a track, of a material receptacle adapted to be reciprocated therealong, means adjacent said track for effecting discharge of said receptacle during travel thereof in one direction, and means controlled by said rece tacle during such travel for rendering ine 'ective said first named means.

15. In a material hoist mechanism, the combination of a mast, a tiltable receptacle mounted for travel therealong, releasable means for tilting said receptacle to discharging position and automatically operable means for releasing said releasable means.

16. A hoist bucket dumping mechanism for mast plants comprising a member having bucket engaging means, a normally closed latch on said member and means for opening said latch adapted to be actuated by a hoist bucket.

17. In a mast plant, the combination of a mast, a pivotally mounted hoist bucket adapted to be elevated and lowered along said mast, means for engaging said bucket and impelling same into discharging position during ascent and means operable as said bucket approaches such position for rendering ineffective said engaging means whereby said bucket may continue ascent in such discharging position.

18. In a mast plant, the combination of a mast, a pivotally mounted hoist bucket adapted to be elevated and lowered along said mast, means for engaging said bucket and tilting same to discharging position during ascent, said means including a normally closed latch, and a pivoted lever operatively associated with said latch and engageable by said bucket for opening said latch.

19. In a mast plant, the combination of a mast, a pivotally mounted hoist bucket adapted to be elevated and lowered along said mast, means for engaging said bucket and tilting same to discharging position during ascent, said means including a normally closed latch, and actuating means for said latch, engageable by said bucket for opening said latch. 7

fitness my hand. this 31st day of January, 1928, county of Middlcsex, State of New Jersey.

JAMES E. BUSHNELL. 

